Patch Cable Vs Ethernet Cable

[Domenec Reynolds]

Ifyou are buying Ethernet cable for the first time, focus on these four features and you'll make a good decision. Other factors are worth considering in certain circumstances so if in doubt, read on.

The "Cat" in Cat5e, Cat6, etc. is short for "Category." Network cables are divided into categories based mainly on bandwidth (measured in MHz), maximum data rate (measured in megabits per second) and shielding.

For a time, this unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable was the most common form of wiring for voice telephone systems in homes and offices. It consisted of two insulated copper wires twisted around each other and was designed for analog voice communications.

Introduced in the early 1990s, Category 3 cabling had four twisted pairs and was the first to support 10BaseT Ethernet networks as well as digital voice communications. It is still found in older buildings but its 10 Mbps data rate is considered too slow for modern networking.

Bandwidth vs. Data Rate

Bandwidth or frequency is a property of a cable and measures the rate at which a signal will cycle each second. 1 MHz is equal to 1 million cycles per second. Cat5 can handle up to 100 million signals a second (or 100 MHz). The cable category with the highest bandwidth is currently Cat8 with 2 billion (2 GHz) signals per second, 20 times as many as Cat5.

Data Rate and Bandwidth are related terms but they are not the same. Higher frequencies carry more 1s and 0s, allowing more bits of data to be transmitted per second. Cat5 cables have a one-to-one relationship between bandwidth and data rate: 100 MHz cable can transmit 100 Mb per second. Higher Category cables such as Cat8 encode the data so more bits can be transmitted in the same amount of time.

Like Cat3, Category 4 cable is typically found in older buildings where the cost of complete replacement is prohibitive. It had a data rate of 16 Mbps and was primarily used for IBM Token Ring networks.

Introduced in 1995, Category 5 cable has a data rate of up to 100 Mbps. It is used for standard 10BaseT and 100BaseT (Fast Ethernet) networks, and can distribute data, video and telephone signals at distances up to 100 meters (328 ft.). Cat5e is not an official designation but is used by manufacturers to describe an enhanced Cat5 cable that is capable of speeds up to 1 Gbps. Its higher data rate is achieved by increasing the number of twists, making it more resistant to crosstalk. Cat5e is recommended for new sub-Gigabit network installations.

In comparison to Cat5e, Cat6 cable provides greater bandwidth and data transfer rates up to 1 Gbps over 100 m, the same as Cat5e. However, at shorter distances of up to 37 m (121 ft.), Cat6 is able to achieve 10 Gbps speeds thanks to its improved shielding and higher bandwidth. Cat6 includes a physical separator called a "spline" between the four pairs to reduce crosstalk and foil shielding to reduce electromagnetic interference. Cat6 cabling is backward compatible with the Cat5/5e standard. Introduced in 2009, Cat6a is an "augmented" Category 6 cable with a bandwidth of up to 500MHz.

The Cat7 specification is a proprietary standard developed by a consortium of companies and is not endorsed by IEEE or TIA/EIA. While substantially similar to the performance characteristics of Cat6a, Cat7 cables features proprietary GG45 connectors and robust shielding. Cat7a (Category 7 Augmented) is a further refinement of Cat7, capable of 40 Gigabit speeds over 50 meters and 100 Gbps up to 15 meters. The proprietary nature of the Cat7 and Cat7a standards and lack of support from IEEE and EIA has resulted in a relatively small installed based for Cat7/Cat7a.

With a bandwidth of up to 2 GHz (2000 MHz) over 30 meters and a data rate of up to 40Gbs, Cat8 cable is ideal for switch-to-switch communications in a 25GBase T or 40GBase T network. Its conductors are wrapped in foil to virtually eliminate crosstalk and enable higher data rates. The result is a heavier gauge cable that is quite rigid and can be difficult to install in tight spaces. It still uses RJ45 connectors and is backwards compatible with previous standards.

What type of Ethernet cable should I buy for my home network?

Even with a speedy WiFi6 router, your connection to the Internet is usually the bandwidth bottleneck. Currently, the fastest Internet plans available from the major carriers offer download speeds of 1 gigabit per second (1,000 Mbps). If you already have the fastest Internet access available from your provider, use Cat6a cable. This will give you some headroom for future speed increases. For Internet download speeds up to a gigabit, Cat5e is a good choice. You'll save a little money over Cat6a and the thinner cable will be easier to install.

The further a signal has to travel along a cable, the more it will degrade (a process known as attenuation) until it reaches the point where it can no longer be detected, or is too distorted to be interpreted by the receiving device. Attenuation can also be caused by noise due to electrical currents and radio frequencies. Cables with shielding to minimize noise will work reliably over greater distances.

The maximum length of a Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cable is about 295 ft. (90 m), plus up to 16 ft. (5 m) of patch cable on either end, for a total of 328 feet or 100 meters. Beyond this, the signal begins to degrade, reducing the speed and reliability of the connection. Good quality cable can support runs in excess of 100 meters but data transmission speed may be reduced. Higher data rates can also be achieved over shorter distances.

Cable shielding is a layer of material that is wrapped around the wires inside a cable to reduce interference and improve signal quality. The shielding helps to prevent external electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI) from affecting the data transmission over the cable.

The terms 8p8c (Eight Position, Eight Contact) and RJ45 are often used interchangeably but 8p8c actually refers to a category of connectors of which RJ45 is one. The modern RJ45 Ethernet connector is the most common example of an 8p8c connector.

GG45 (GigaGate 45) or ARJ45 (Augmented RJ45) is a connector originally developed by French cable company Nexans for use with Cat7 cable. GG45 connectors have 12 pins in total, 8 providing backwards compatibility with Cat6, and an additional 4 pins providing support for frequencies of up to 600MHz.

M12 coded connectors are found on Ethernet cords designed for industrial applications. These cables are often exposed to vibration, extreme temperatures and moisture. The threaded connectors are designed to provide a waterproof and secure connection.

Why is an Ethernet cable connector called RJ45?

"RJ" stands for Registered Jack and refers to a standardized physical network interface. The "45" simply refers to the number of the interface in the standard specification.

Molded connectors are permanently attached to a cable using a manufacturing process called over-molding. The connector and cable are covered with a thermoplastic or silicon material to form one solid piece called a boot, making the cable more durable and able to withstanding a high number of insertion cycles.

Snagless connectors have a modified boot that protects the connector's lock from being accidentally snapped off. Snagless cables are typically used in situations where the cable is frequently connected and disconnected, such as a laptop-to-wall network connection.

Slim and Ultra-Slim Cables

Slim and Ultra-Slim cables have a diameter that's typically 30-50% less than that of a standard Cat6 cable. Manufactured from small gauge copper wire, the four-pair stranded cable increases airflow in crowded equipment racks, which helps keep components cool and functioning properly. The slim design also makes the cable lighter and easier to install in high-density racks, cable trays and ductwork.

Flat Cables

Although not a common choice, flat cables have some unique characteristics that make them beneficial in certain applications. Flat cables have good heat dissipation and more evenly distribute physical loads on the cable. They also bend only through the wide faces whereas a conventional round cable bends in all directions.

A flat cable is a good choice if you need to carry an Ethernet patch cable around in your laptop bag. It is strong, light and will not tangle easily. Its flat shape makes it ideal for cable runs under carpet and behind baseboard.

Solid Core Cables

Network cables are available in stranded and solid wire formats. As the name suggests, a solid core cable uses one solid copper wire for each conductor, so a 4-pair cable will have a total of 8 solid copper wires. Solid conductor cable is easy to punch down, making it ideal for structured wiring applications.

In situations where a cable is repeatedly flexed or connected and disconnected, choose a stranded cable. For horizontal cable runs not subject to repeated movement, or for Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) and outdoor applications, use solid core cable.

Armored Cable

The outer jacket of an armored cable is made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a type of polyurethane known for its strength, flexibility (even in low temperatures) and cut/abrasion resistance. Armored cable is recommended for outdoor applications and any location where the cable could potentially be crushed or cut.

What is a Crossover Cable?

There are two wiring standards used by RJ45 connectors, referred to as T568A and T568B. The difference is the pin assignment for the green and orange pairs. T568A pin-outs are the most commonly used but either will work so long as both ends of the cable are similarly wired. The U.S. Government requires the use of the T568A standard for networks installed under a federal contract.

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